"North Shaolin Elite Martial Academy!"
Standing at the entrance, Ethan Lin read the bold characters on the plaque above. He was well aware that North Shaolin had established this elite academy and knew that the abbot, Yanlong Shi, along with other Shaolin higher-ups, were here to preside over the opening ceremony.
Originally, he'd intended to go straight to the Shaolin Temple itself, but with the abbot and many monks here at the academy, it would be pointless to head to the temple now.
"Straight to the ceremony, then," Ethan decided.
At the opening ceremony, the crowd was immense.
On the grand stage, Abbot Yanlong Shi sat holding a microphone, delivering a speech on the strength of the Shaolin warrior monks and the mission behind establishing the elite academy.
At that moment, a reporter raised a hand and asked, "Abbot, I've heard that Shaolin monks are masters of powerful Shaolin techniques. Could you perhaps demonstrate one for us?"
The abbot, his face framed by a white beard, gave a slight smile. "Of course."
He then directed one of the monks to demonstrate Iron Head Skill, a classic Shaolin technique.
Though Iron Head Skill wasn't one of Shaolin's top techniques, it was ideal for a crowd-pleasing demonstration. Unlike the more intricate techniques like Arhat Fist or Merciful Palm, Iron Head Skill provided a powerful visual impact that would captivate the audience.
Soon, ten monks lifted a large bronze bell onto a frame, inviting several spectators to approach and verify its authenticity by touching it.
With that done, the monk preparing to demonstrate took position and, with a steady headbutt, struck the bell.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The crisp, reverberating sound echoed through the venue, sparking applause and cheers from the audience. Viewers watching the live broadcast on their phones or computers lit up the screen with comments.
"66666! Now that's the real deal, unlike those staged stunts on TV!"
"Just listen to that sound! Imagine the strength needed to make the bell ring like that! I'd probably get a concussion if I tried that."
"Martial arts training is so intense, and it's not like it has much use these days. Otherwise, I'd consider training too."
"Exactly! No matter how skilled you are in martial arts, a single bullet can end it all. Plus, becoming a martial arts star is rare. It's easier to succeed with a handsome face these days."
Suddenly, a young man with a calm demeanor stepped onto the stage, capturing everyone's attention.
"Excuse me, sir, our Shaolin monks are in the middle of a demonstration. For your safety, could you please step down?" A monk politely stopped him.
The man causing the stir was none other than Ethan Lin.
"I'm here to speak with Abbot Yanlong Shi about a matter," Ethan replied with a slight smile, his gaze moving to the abbot.
"This layperson," the monk continued, "if you have any questions, please step down and ask later, to avoid disrupting the ceremony."
"I'm not here to ask questions but to make a request," Ethan announced, raising a hand to point toward the direction of Shaolin Temple. "I'd like to enter the Sutra Pavilion of Shaolin Temple."
The crowd below fell silent, staring at Ethan in shock. His request was beyond bold—it felt almost confrontational.
Abbot Yanlong Shi approached, his tone grave. "Our Sutra Pavilion is not open to outsiders. I must ask you to step down and refrain from disturbing the ceremony."
It was clear that the abbot was growing angry.
"What if I insist on entering the Sutra Pavilion?" Ethan's voice was steady, his expression completely serious.
At his persistence, the abbot gestured, and a dozen monks moved toward Ethan.
"If you continue this unreasonable behavior, we will have to escort you out," the abbot warned.
Ethan chuckled, unconcerned. "I suggest you don't try to remove me. I'd hate for an accident to happen and someone to get hurt. I came to Shaolin for one reason only: to enter the Sutra Pavilion. I won't take a single item."
"You're being far too arrogant!"
The abbot and the other monks bristled at his words.
Ethan's warning sounded like a challenge, and to these warrior monks, whose lives were steeped in martial arts, such arrogance was a grave insult.
On the livestream, comments flooded in:
"66666! Who does this guy think he is, causing trouble at Shaolin's grand opening and challenging the abbot and monks?"
"He really thinks the Shaolin monks are a joke?"
"Yeah! They don't only eat vegetarian food now, they eat meat too, hahaha!"
"Kidding aside, this guy's in for it. They're probably going to beat him up badly."
"Who walks into the Shaolin academy's opening ceremony and causes a scene? This guy must be nuts."
Most viewers saw Ethan's actions as brazen and foolish, but in reality, he was speaking the truth. He had rapidly transformed from an ordinary person to a fifth-tier Body Refinement cultivator, yet he hadn't mastered any techniques and was struggling to control his strength. If he weren't careful, he could genuinely hurt someone with a single blow.
Just what was the fifth tier of Body Refinement?
At the first tier, a person's strength was double that of an ordinary adult. At the second tier, it was four times. At the third tier, it was six times. By the fifth tier, his strength was ten times that of a normal person, with speed, defense, and healing to match. In the eyes of ordinary people, a fifth-tier cultivator was practically a small superhuman.
An untrained superhuman with uncontrolled strength could easily punch through steel—or a person.
"Abbot Yanlong Shi," Ethan continued, "there's no need to send your monks to remove me. Allow me to perform a demonstration, and then you can decide."
With that, Ethan walked up to the bronze bell.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]